not "be
offended," or in other words, taken by surprize, misled, and caused to
doubt and stumble by the unprecedented events then impending. The
apostles were forewarned of persecution, of their expulsion from the
synagogs, and of a time in which hatred against them should be so bitter
and the Satanic darkness of mind and spirit so dense that whosoever
succeeded in killing one of them would profess that his foul deed had
been done in God's service. In view of their overwhelming sorrow at the
Lord's departure, He sought again to cheer them, saying: "Nevertheless I
tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go
not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will
send him unto you."

The assured descent of the Holy Ghost, through whom they should be made
strong to meet every need and emergency, was the inspiring theme of this
part of the Lord's discourse. Many things which Christ yet had to say to
His apostles, but which they were at that time unable to understand, the
Holy Ghost would teach them. "Howbeit," said Jesus, "when he, the Spirit
of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and
he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall
receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father
hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall
shew it unto you."[1222]

Turning again to the matter of His departure, then so near as to be
reckoned by hours, the Lord said, in amplified form of what He had
before affirmed: "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a
little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."[1223]
The apostles pondered and some questioned among themselves as to the
Lord's meaning, yet so deep was the solemnity of the occasion that they
ventured no open inquiry. Jesus knew of their perplexity and graciously
explained that they would soon weep and lament while the world rejoiced;
this had reference to His death; but He promised that their sorrow
should be turned into joy; and this was based on His resurrection to
which they should be witnesses. He compared their then present and
prospective state to that of a woman in travail, who in the after joy of
blessed motherhood forgets her anguish. The happiness that awaited them
would be beyond the power of man to take away; and thenceforth they
sho